To You, My Warrior

Happy Birthday:

Usually, the topic I write about comes to me spontaneously. However, today's is special it has always been marked on the calendar. Today is the birthday of the person who gave me life on July 10, 1980, around 9 p.m.

I am the youngest of three, and to keep things simple, my sister and brother looked at the calendar and chose my name because it was Saint Christopher’s Day.

I was a normal child or at least, that’s how I see myself. From an early age, my mother and I had our little battles, typical between a mother and her son. She, always strong and steadfast, managed the household while my father, a fishing captain, was often away for work.

Until I was 14, my school qualifications were decent. But when I started high school and met the friends I still have today, things began to get complicated. Except for gymnastics, English, and geography, my qualifications started to slip.

At 15, partying on weekends became a big part of my life. It was then that arguments with my mother became a weekly occurrence, without fail.

At 26, I decided to venture into the sea, a choice no one in my family saw coming. During my four weeks of vacation, weeknights were filled with endless partying, while weekends were reserved for rest.

At 29, I met my wife, and little by little, my lifestyle began to slow down. My relationship with my mother, which was never bad, started to improve significantly.

At 27, we lost the man of the house. In that moment, my mother showed all her strength. She taught us that, no matter how hard life hits, it goes on and she did so with courage and determination.

A little over a year ago, I had to share news with my mother that no son wants to share: health problems. I know it’s something no mother wants to face. Since then, we’ve talked every day. She asks me how I’m doing, and even though I always try to tell her I’m fine, I know it deeply pains her when she senses that I’m going through a rough patch.

She is the one person for whom I will always be fine.

To you, my warrior, happy birthday.